Detailed Explanation of the Methods and Techniques for Making a Goji Berry Bonsai

Goji berry (Lycium chinense) is a semi-evergreen shrub with arched, vigorous branches; its roots are like swimming snakes, gnarled and full of grace; in autumn and winter, it is heavy with red berries, earning it the name "snow-pressed coral," making it an excellent material for bonsai. The specific method for making a goji berry bonsai is as follows:

Digging up the stump In early April, when the goji berry just begins to sprout, select a stump with a good shape, first shorten the long branches, cut off the messy branches, dig carefully, extract the complete roots, and immediately place them in a plastic bag, tie the opening tightly to prevent moisture evaporation.

For the pot, choose a flower pot with a diameter and height of 20 cm, with loose sandy loam soil as the best choice. Before planting, first prune the roots to a size suitable for potting, dip them in mud slurry, and then place them in the pot. After planting, water thoroughly and leave for 2-3 days until the soil is slightly dry, then proceed with shaping.

Shaping Take advantage of the goji berry's strong sprouting ability and fast branch growth to create umbrella, 2-tier, and 3-tier forms. The umbrella, 2-tier, and 3-tier forms have 1, 2, and 3 branches respectively; after pruning, the distance between each tier is 15 cm, and each branch 4 is fixed in a suitable position with wire.

Management

(1) Moisture retention: Spray water frequently to keep the branches and trunk moist.

(2) Bud removal: When buds sprout in mid-April, remove them promptly, keeping only the buds around the top of each branch and trunk and removing all the rest.

(3) Pruning: In late April, when the remaining young buds have grown to about 10 cm, carry out pruning.

(4) Fertilizing: Starting in late April, apply nitrogen fertilizer, using a 0.2% urea water solution, watering once every 10 days. By the end of July, when all the shapes have formed, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and switch to applying a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate water solution once every 10 days.

Flowering and fruit setting In August, flower buds form and gradually open into small purple flowers one after another. In September, fruit sets, and in October, the fruit color gradually turns red. If moved indoors before frost, the green leaves will not fall all year round, and the red and green intermingle, looking especially beautiful.